Agricultural Sciences University Research Articles

Effect of Micronutrients on Growth and Flowering of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) under Subtropics of Jammu

An open field experiment was conducted during 2019-20 at the Experimental Farm, Division of Vegetable Science & Floriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, to evaluate the effect of micronutrients on growth, flowering and yield of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) cv. ‘Nova Lux’. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and nineteen treatments. The different micro-nutrient like Fe, Zn and Mn was taken in different concentrations along with control. The results revealed that maximum plant height (97.74 cm), number of leaves per plant (9.04), leaf length (74.36 cm) and leaf area index (4.14) was recorded with the application of ZnSO4 at 0.2 % and FeSO4 at 0.2 %. Further, among the flowering traits, minimum duration for days taken for 1st floret opening, the maximum spike length (81.86 cm), rachis length (56.76 cm), number of florets per spike 917.69) and weight of the spike (74.78 g) was recorded with the application of ZnSO4 at 0.2 % and FeSO4 at 0.2 %. Thus, foliar application of micronutrients i,e. ZnSO4 at 0.2 % and FeSO4 at 0.2 % proved to be most effective in increasing the growth, flowering and corm production in gladiolus.

Simulated drought stress unravels differential response and different mechanisms of drought tolerance in newly developed tropical field corn inbreds.

Corn is one of the most important cereal crops in the world with highest yield potential. Nevertheless, its potential productivity is constrained by the occurrences of drought stress worldwide. Besides, in the era of climate change, frequent occurrences of severe droughts are predicted. The present investigation was carried out at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad in split plot design to study response of twenty-eight new corn inbreds under drought free (well-watered) conditions and drought simulated by withholding irrigation from 40 to 75 DAS to create water stress. Significant differences among the corn inbreds, moisture treatments and interaction between inbreds were observed for morpho-physiological, yield and yield components indicating differential response of corn inbreds. The inbreds CAL 1426-2 (higher RWC, SLW& wax and lower ASI), PDM 4641(higher SLW, proline, & wax, and lower ASI) and GPM 114 (higher proline & wax, and lower ASI) were drought tolerant. These inbreds are having higher production potential (>5.0 t/ha) under moisture stress condition with less per cent reduction (<24.4%) over non-moisture stress condition and hence are putative candidates for developing drought tolerant hybrids suitable for rainfed ecosystem besides using them in population improvement program to combine different drought tolerant mechanisms to evolve highly potent drought tolerant inbreds. The results of the study suggested that proline content, wax content, anthesis silking interval, relative water content can be better surrogate traits to identify drought tolerant inbreds in corn.

Influence of Phosphorus and Potassium in Combination with Biofertilizers on Growth of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

During the kharif season of 2018, a field experiment titled "Influence of phosphorus and potassium in combination with biofertilizers on growth of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]" was carried out at the crop research farm of the Division of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir. The soil in the experimental field had the texture of clay loam, was neutral in reaction (pH 6.9), had low available nitrogen, low available phosphorus, medium available potassium, and medium organic carbon. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) design with nine treatments and three replications. The results of the experiment revealed that growth of the crop was significantly influenced by different treatments and Among various treatments, application of RDF (30 N, 60 P2O5, 30 K2O) kg ha-1+ seed inoculation with Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) + Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB) significantly recorded maximum plant height (86.18 cm), leaf area index (3.62), dry matter production (16.20 q ha-1) and it also significantly increased the number of effective root nodules per plant of cowpea.

Screening of Brassica genotypes against mustard aphid under northern Indian Shivalik hill conditions

Oilseed Brassica plays the important role in Indian agriculture in relation to oil production. The major insects in Brassicas are Lipaphis erysimi, Bagrada hilaris, Athalia lugens proxima (Klug), Chromatomyia horticola Goureau, Pieris rapae, Bagrada cruciferarum Kirkaldy are of practical importance. Out of these, the Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) [mustard aphid], a part of family Aphididae with order Hemiptera leads to great yield losses in rapeseed-mustard. To overcome this problem, the easiest solution is to grow resistant and tolerant varieties. The screening is done on the basis of aphid infestation index scale for categorization of the genotypes into resistance and tolerance. Experiments were carried out at the experimental farm of Division of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu during rabi of 2017–18 and 2018–19 to evaluate mustard germplasm against Lipaphis erysimi and selecting the resistant genotypes of Brassica for its cultivation and expansion purposes. A total of fifteen cultivars were evaluated based on population buildup of mustard aphid and infestation index. The genotypes RSPN-28, CNH-11-13, RL-1359, HNS-1101, GSC-101, CNH-11-2 and HNS-1102 were found moderately resistant during the rabi 2017–2018 and during rabi 2018–2019, due to weather conditions only two genotypes CNH-13-2 and RSPN-29 were found moderately resistant and susceptible against aphid infestation.

Development and validation of soil test based fertilizer prescription equations for enhancing yield, uptake and nutrient use efficiency of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) under dryland condition

Balanced crop nutrition will be rewarding to profitable sustainable yield and soil quality.To develop and validate fertilizer prescription equation for foxtail millet under dryland farming situation by encompassing the Soil Test Crop Response approach (STCR), field experiments were conducted at Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore from Kharif 2017 to 2020 in four phases. Soil test data, grain yield, and NPK uptake by foxtail millet crop were used for achieving four important basic parameters, viz., Nutrient requirement, contribution of nutrients from fertilizers (%CF), soil (%CS), and organic manure (%C-OM) to develop the targeted yield equation and these equations were in comparison with Low-Medium-High (LMH) approach and general recommended dose (GRD). It was found that 4.30, 3.13, and 3.61 kg of N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively were required for producing one quintal of foxtail millet grain under inorganic approach whereas 4.20, 2.87, and 4.19 kg of N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively, under integrated approach. The STCR approach, with or without FYM, at the target yields 13 and 10 q ha−1 enhanced the grain yield over general recommended dose and approach. It also exhibited a higher NPK uptake and use efficiency, along with better profitability. Frontline demonstrations were conducted at Tumakuru district, Karnataka, and grain yield under the STCR approach was increased to the extent of 77.94% compared to farmer’s practice. STCR-targeted yield approach could improve the yield, economics, and efficiency of nutrient use for foxtail millet compared to GRD and LMH approach.

Abstracts of the papers presented in the international conference of Indian Virological Society, VIROCON 2022 on “Emerging and re-emerging viral infections impacting humans, animals, plants, fish and environment” held during 05–06 November, 2022 at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Srinagar (J&amp;K), India

Abstracts of the papers presented in the international conference of Indian Virological Society, VIROCON 2022 on “Emerging and re-emerging viral infections impacting humans, animals, plants, fish and environment” held during 05–06 November, 2022 at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Srinagar (J&amp;K), India

Nutrition management affects cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) productivity and leaf reddening for targeted yields

A field experiment was conducted during growing seasons of 2014–15 and 2015–16 at College of Agriculture Farm, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka, to study the effect of nutrient management on cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) productivity and leaf reddening for targeted yield on medium deep black soil under irrigation. Three yield targets (3, 4 and 5 t kapas yield/ha)-based site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) along with 4 leaf- reddening management (LRM) treatments (S1 , vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha in seed line; S2 , S1 + MgSO4 10 kg/ha in seed line; S3 , S1 + MgSO4 25 kg/ha in seed line; and S4 , MgSO4 25 kg/ha in seed line + foliar nutrition of 1% MgSO4 + 19 : 19 : 19 + 1% KNO3 thrice during flowering, boll development and boll bursting stages) besides recommended control were tested using randomized complete block design. The SSNM for 5 t/ha yield target and supplementary nutrition of MgSO4 both to soil and to foliage and foliar application of major nutrients (19:19:19 and KNO3 ) (S4 ) resulted in significantly higher plant height (64, 140, 146 and 158 cm, respectively), monopodials (1.90, 3.0, 3.0 and 3.0) and sympodials/plant (10.3, 25.9, 27.5 and 32.3), nodes on main stem (16.4, 29.9, 31.8 and 37.8), leaf area (27.8, 98.0, 131.8 and 99.0 dm2 /plant) and leaf-area index/plant (0.51, 1.82, 2.4 and 1.83) at 45, 90 and 135 DAS and at final picking and dry-matter accumulation in leaves (63.4, 137.2 and 153.2 g/plant), stem (76.3, 146.6 and 161.3 g/plant) and reproductive parts (130.7, 146.3 and 161.0 g/plant) at 90, 135 days after sowing and at final picking. Consequently, the treatment also recorded significantly higher seed-cotton yield (5.35 t/ ha), harvest index (0.38 on pooled basis) and benefit: cost ratio (5.32) amongst all targets and LRM approaches, while recommended control fared poorly (2.84 t/ha, 0.37 and 4.14 kapas yield, harvest index and B : C ratio, respectively).

Effect of gibberellic acid and potassium nitrate seed treatments on the emergence and seedling vigor of Amaranth and Cleome gynandra

AbstractSeed dormancy is the major challenge in the cultivation of Amaranth and Cleome gynandra. Amaranth and C. gynandra are affected by chemical, physical, and physiological dormancy. The current study was conducted at the Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) farm in 2021 and 2022. The effects of gibberellic acid and potassium nitrate seed treatments on the emergence and seedling vigour of Amaranth and C. gynandra were evaluated. Seeds of Amaranth and C. gynandra were pre‐soaked in gibberellic acid (control 0, 100, 200, 300,400, and 500 ppm) and potassium nitrate (control 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5%) solutions for 24 h to have a factorial layout within a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Seeds of Amaranth and C. gynandra treated with gibberellic acid showed a significant difference while potassium nitrate showed no significant difference. The highest emergence percentage and vigor index were recorded in seeds treated with 500 ppm gibberellic acid. The maximum emergence percentages of Amaranth (62.1%) and C. gynandra (60.7%) were obtained in 2022 and 2021. The least emergence percentages of Amaranth (46.4%) and C. gynandra (45.3%) were obtained in control in 2021. The highest vigor index of Amaranth (603) was obtained in 2022, while the highest vigor index of C. gynandra (562) was obtained in 2021. The lowest vigor indices of Amaranth and C. gynandra were 341 and 270, which were recorded in 2021 and 2022. The results showed that gibberellic acid has the potential to reduce seed dormancy.

Effect of drip irrigation regimes on growth, yield and economics of maize (Zea mays) genotypes

A field experiment was conducted during summer 2018 and 2019 to study the performance of maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes under drip and furrow irrigation regimes at the Main Agriculture Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with 3 replications. Treatments included 4 irrigation levels (drip irrigation at 0.6 ETc, 0.8 ETc and 1.0 ETc and furrow irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio) and 4 maize genotypes. The data indicated that, furrow irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio and drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc recorded significantly higher and on par growth and yield parameters, grain yield (75.8 q/ha and 71.4 q/ha, respectively) and economic returns. Drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc consumed 28.6% less water but recorded significantly higher water productivity over furrow irrigation. Among the genotypes, NK-6240 found superior over rest of the genotypes. The combination of furrow irrigation with NK-6240 recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes as well as grain yield and economics over rest of the combinations. However, this treatment remained statistically non-significant with drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc with NK-6240 and furrow irrigation with CP-818.

Molecular analysis of the F4 progenies obtained through pollen selection for heat tolerance in maize (Zea mays)

In the present study, three sets of F4 progeny lines developed through different cycles of pollen selection for heat tolerance were studied for the genetic differences using 16 SSR markers during 2017–20 at Department of Plant Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra, Bengaluru, Karnataka. Three groups of F4 progenies used for the study are GGG (pollen selection for heat tolerance in F1, F2 and F3 generation); GCG (pollen selection for heat tolerance only in F1 and F3 generation); CCC (no pollen selection for heat tolerance in F1, F2 and F3 generation). Five randomly selected F4 lines of the cross of heat stress susceptible BTM4 and heat tolerant BTM6 represented each group. The three groups differed significantly for the number of male parent alleles as evidenced by SSR markers. The F4 (GGG) progenies had significantly more number of male parent type alleles compared to F4 (GCG) and F4 (CCC) lines. The F4 (CCC) lines recorded more number of female alleles compared to other F4 (GGG and GCG) lines. The effectiveness of pollen selection for heat tolerance towards increasing the frequency of male parent alleles and their transmission to the succeeding progenies has been demonstrated in the present study.

Deciphering sperm chromatin properties to predict stallion sperm fertility

Although previous studies have examined the relationship between the sperm DNA fragmentation index and fertility in stallions, other aspects of chromatin structure or packaging and fertility have not been explored. In the present study, relationships between fertility and DNA fragmentation index, protamine deficiency, total thiols, free thiols and disulfide bonds in stallion spermatozoa were investigated. Ejaculates (n = 36) were collected from 12 stallions and extended to prepare semen doses for insemination. One dose from each ejaculate was sent to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Aliquots of semen were stained for flow cytometry with acridine orange for the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (DNA fragmentation Index, %DFI), with chromomycin A3 (CMA) for protamine deficiency, and with monobromobimane (mBBr) for detection of total and free thiols and disulfide bonds. Per season pregnancy rates after insemination were obtained. Mixed linear models were used to analyze data. Negative correlations were found between pregnancy rate and %DFI (r = −0.35, P < 0.03) and pregnancy rate and free thiols (r = −0.60, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, there were positive correlations between total thiols and disulfide bonds (r = 0.95, P < 0.0001), and protamine and disulfide bonds (r = 0.4100, P < 0.01986). Since chromatin integrity, protamine deficiency and packaging were all associated with fertility, a combination of these factors could be used as a biomarker of fertility when assessing ejaculates.

Effect of Different Rate and Time of Application of Slag based Gypsum on Nutrient Use Efficiency, Quality and Yield of Groundnut

Background: Slag based gypsum (SBG) is a value-added product of iron and steel industry. Application of gypsum as source of calcium and sulphur for groundnut cultivation is common practice and mainly applied during peg initiation stage of groundnut. However, its effect is mainly influenced by the type of soil and dissolution of gypsum, which facilitates the yield and quality of groundnut. Hence, field experiments were conducted to know the effect of application of different rates of SBG as basal and split application on soil properties, yield, quality, nutrient use and uptake efficiency of groundnut in acidic soil. Methods: This study contains of seven treatments which includes recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with three levels of SBG (375, 500 and 625 kg ha-1) was applied as basal and split and 500 kg natural gypsum (NG) ha-1 was applied as basal dose according to package of practice (POP) of University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore by using randomly complete block design (RCBD) at Agricultural Research Station, Balajigapade during kharif 2018 and 2019. Result: The pooled data of two field experiments on groundnut revealed that application of RDF + 625 kg SBG ha-1 as 50% at sowing + 50% at peg initiation stage recorded higher pod (28.01 q ha-1), haulm (54.46 q ha-1), kernel (20.59 q ha-1), protein (89.70 q ha-1) and oil (7.06 q ha-1) yield when compared to other treatments. There was an increase in pod, haulm and oil yield of groundnut by 11.62, 20.59 and 17.99%, respectively with the split application of 625 kg SBG ha-1 (50% at sowing + 50% at 30 DAS) over NG applied treatments. Split application of SBG significantly increased the availability of nutrients in post harvest soils than basal application. Significantly higher S and Ca nutrient use efficiency (33.98 and 28.93 kg produce/kg S and Ca utilized, respectively) and uptake efficiency (0.39 and 1.29 kg kg-1, respectively) was recorded with the split application of SBG @ 375 kg ha-1.

Quality of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as Influenced by Different Nutrient Management Approaches under Northern Transitional Zone of Karnataka

The field experiments were conducted at the Research Farm of AICW&amp;BIP, Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during rabi 2020-21 and 2021-22 and was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with 15 treatments replicated thrice to evaluate the performance of wheat quality to various nutrient management approaches. The pooled data onto two years indicated that application of 275:40.33:135.2 kg of N:P2O5:K2O ha-1 for yield target of 55 q ha-1 under SSNM practices significantly increased the protein content  (13.43 %), wet gluten (34.7 %), dry gluten (11.9 %), gluten index (81.6 %), sedimentation value (46.3 ml) and yellow pigment (5.93 ppm) in wheat grain and it was found on par with yield targets at 50 and 45 q ha-1 under SSNM.

Influence of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) genotypes on growth, yield and biochemical traits

A field experiment was conducted at vegetable research farm of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K) during 2019–21 to evaluate the performance of 8 improved genotypes of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) and compare them with the popular check genotype in terms of yield attributes and yield, quality and biochemical traits. Among the okra genotype, DOV-44≥Punjab Padmani≥Kashi Kranti produced significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher pod weight as compared to the remaining cultivars and recorded an improvement of 10.7–16.4% for pod weight over the local check (Parbhani Kranti). DOV-44 ≥Punjab Padmani ≥Kashi Kranti produced 110.7–120.1% higher okra pod yield over the check (Parbhani Kranti) averaged over the years. Significant positive correlation of yield attributes like days to 50% flowering (r= 0.5294*, P&lt;0.05) leaf length (r= 0.8217**, P&lt;0.001), pod length (r= 0.6863*, P&lt;0.05), pod diameter (r= 0.7866*, P&lt;0.05) and pod weight (r= 0.8417**, P&lt;0.001) with okra pod yield also affirmed it better performance as compared to local check. Among the cultivars, chlorophyll A among the cultivars also varied significantly (P&lt;0.05) from 7.26 in DOV-88 to 5.13 in Pusa Bhindi-5. Calcium content was observed highest in Kashi Kranti (93.67) ≥ DOV-88 (92.00) and it was 21.5–23.8% higher than local check (Parbhani Kranti). The genetic make-up responsible for higher growth, better physiological and biochemical attributes may help in improving adaptive capacity for achieving optimal productivity. Thus, exploring improved genotypes suitable to J&amp;K ecosystem promises improvement of okra productivity along with maintaining better biochemical traits in the J&amp;K of India and other similar agro-ecological regions.

Effect of natural farming, organic farming, and recommended package of practices on yield and economics of irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum)

An experiment was carried out on a split-plot design with two uneven controls, viz. four foliar concentrations of cow urine, and jeevamrutha under natural farming which were compared with Organic farming (OF), and Recommended package of practices (RPP) given by University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (UASD). The treatments were replicated thrice. The study found that the UASD RPP recorded significantly higher grain yield, straw yield, gross return, net return, and B:C ratio than OF and natural farming practices. The grain yield reduction in the best treatment (cow urine @50% + jeevamrutha @100%) was 16% lesser than RPP, and 2% higher than OF. However, the cost of cultivation in natural farming with cow urine @50% + jeevamrutha @100% was lesser to the extent of 6.91 and 30.42% than UASD RPP and OF. Hence, the study indicates that irrigated wheat can be grown under UASD RPP followed by natural farming treatment more profitably.

Application of zinc and iron for higher productivity and agronomic use efciency of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) varieties

An experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2017–18 and 2018–19 at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka to evaluate the effect of Zn and Fe on productivity and agronomic use efficiency of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). In this experiment, 2 varieties of chickpea were applied with Zn and Fe through foliage in the form of sulphates at different stages and also tested with the application to soil and via a seed treatment. Variety ‘GBM 2’ gave higher yield, Zn and Fe content in seed than ‘JG 11’. However, ‘JG 11’ was more efficient in using native Zn and Fe, as it had shown higher Zn and Fe agronomic efficiency under all the methods compared to ‘GBM 2’. Foliar application of Zn and Fe proved better method of application than soil application or seed treatment of Zn or individual application of Zn or Fe. Yield increase was 20.2 and 19.35% higher in foliar application of Zn and Fe over the control respectively, in 2017–18 and 2018–19. Foliar application of Zn with Fe recorded 22.29 and 11.30% higher Zn accumulation in seed over soil application of micronutrients in 2017–18 and 2018–19 respectively.

Performance of Kashmir basmati ‘Shalimar Sugandh 1’ rice (Oryza sativa) under different nitrogen levels and weed-management practices under temperate valley conditions

An experiment was conducted during rainy season of 2018 at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Khudwani, Jammu and Kashmir, to study the response of ‘Shalimar Sugandh 1’ Kashmir basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) to different nitrogen levels. Three nitrogen levels (0, 45 and 90 kg N/ha) and 5 weed-management practices, including 3 herbicides, viz. florpyrauxifen-benzyl @ 31.25 ml/ha, penoxsulam @ 22.5 g/ha and pyrazosulfuron-ethyl @ 60 g/ha + pretilachlor @ 300 g/ha, were evaluated to ascertain the most effective nitrogen dose and herbicide in controlling weeds in Kashmir basmati (rice). The results depicted significantly higher growth, yield and yield-attributing characters in the treatment comprising nitrogen @ 90 kg/ha and penoxsulam @ 22.5 g/ha (10 days after transplanting).

"The Urban Forum Dialogue Tool: Reflecting on a Designerly Approach to Transdisciplinary Research"

With a view to working toward urban sustainability goals, two Swedish research platforms, SLU Urban Futures at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Alnarp (SLU) and the Urban Arena at Lund University, launched Urban Forum, a transdisciplinary dialogue format, in 2019. Designed to foster exchange between practitioners and scholars in the spatial design fields the Forum convenes actors from practice and academia working on matters of shared concern to increase their interaction and defuse preconceptions against each other. The initiative recognizes that academic and non-academic design actors are equally needed to build transformative capacities and reflects two related convictions: that siloing practice and academia is unproductive and that synthetic encounters can serve to reimagine roles and retool mindsets currently hampering mutually beneficial knowledge exchange. This article analyzes a series of Urban Forum events from 2019-21 to extrapolate procedures for overcoming entrenched notions of the practice/academia dynamic; identify criteria for productive knowledge exchange; suggest ways to design transdisciplinary dialogues; and highlight the benefit of involving designerly knowledge and working methods into the transdisciplinary methodology toolbox.

Effect of Nano NPK Fertilizers on Growth and Fruit Quality of Sapota (Manilkara achras Mill Fosberg) Cv. Kalipatti

The study was conducted in the Department of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra, Bengaluru during the year 2020-2022 to investigate the “Effect of nano NPK fertilizers on growth and fruit quality of sapota (Manilkara achras Mill Fosberg) Cv. Kalipatti”. The experiment was planned with randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisting of 12 treatments and 3 replications. During both the years (2020-2021 and 2021-2022) as well as from pooled data indicates that the maximum plant height (3.64 m, 3.78m and 3.71 m respectively), plant spread at East-West direction (8.26 m, 9.40 m and 8.83 m respectively) and North- South direction (8.24 m, 8.71m and 8.48 m respectively) was noticed in the treatment T10 (50% RDF + 0.3% Nano NPK fertilizer foliar spray) and maximum chlorophyll content (2.30 mg/ g) was noticed in the treatment T9 (50% RDF + 0.2% Nano NPK fertilizer foliar spray) during the year 2021-2022. The maximum values for quality parameters like TSS (22.33 oBrix), reducing sugar (9.31 %), total sugars (22.18 %), shelf life of fruits (7 days) and fruit firmness (74 N) were noticed in treatment T9 (50 per cent of RDF and foliar application of 0.2% of nano NPK fertilizer) during the year 2021-2022. Among all the different treatments T10 (50 per cent of RDF and foliar application of 0.3% of nano NPK fertilizer) and T9 (50 per cent of RDF and foliar application of 0.2% of nano NPK fertilizer) were proved significant improvement for tree growth and fruit quality of sapota respectively.

Agronomic Performance of Maize Hybrids Influenced by Sowing Dates and Plant Spacing

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif, 2020 at Agronomy Research Farm, Faculty of agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Wadura, Sopore in Split- split plot design with three dates of sowing viz; 17th SMW (D1), 19th SMW (D2) and 21st SMW (D3) as main plot treatments, three varied row spacing viz; 50 cm×20 cm (S1), 60 cm × 20 cm (S2) and 70 cm×20 cm (S3) as sub- plot treatments and two maize hybrids viz; Hytech- 5801 and YSH- 1 as sub- sub plot treatments. The conclusion of the demonstration showed that growth parameters viz., plant height, dry matter production, LAI, functional leaves per plant increased significantly for the crop sown on 17th SMW(D1) with a concomitant increase in its yield attributing factors, ie., cob length, cob girth, number of grains per cob and test weight and yield. The growth, yield and yield attributing factors also recorded highest values with a plant spacing of 70 cm× 20 cm (S3). As far as hybrids are concerned, growth characters showed significant and consistent increase in hybrid Hytech-5801 (H1) compared to hybrid YSH-1 (H2) with an associated increase in yield and yield attributing factors.